Meet UA's new quarterback ... and other practice notes

Players not included on Alabama's 105-man preseason roster joined the team at practice today, which was the first day of fall classes at UA.

The group featured scholarship offensive lineman Kellen Williams and a host of other walk-ons. Per a team spokesman, one of them is a quarterback who spent time as a pitcher in the Atlanta Braves' organization.

Chris Vines, a 6-foot-5 former standout at Pelham High near Birmingham, posted a 4-1 record and 3.98 ERA last year as a part of the Braves' Class A Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Read more about him here.

The 24-year-old Vines originally signed with Florida for baseball out of high school, but was drafted in the fifth round by the Braves. His baseball career was derailed by Tommy John surgery in 2006.

Kirkpatrick was moving fine. He just wasn't participating in drills. From what I gathered, I'd expect him back soon. A touted signee from Gadsden, Kirkpatrick has arguably been the most impressive true freshman in preseason practices to this point.

-- As Saban relayed yesterday, freshman receiver Kenny Bell was not practicing while dealing with what the coach deemed "real bad" shin splints.

-- In a bit of a surprise, Williams was dressed and practicing as normal despite a serious knee injury suffered this past spring. The injury is what kept him off the 105-man roster, though he is NOT grayshirting this year.

-- All other practice rotations at key positions appeared to remain the same during the media's viewing session, which I would expect to continue leading up to Saturday's scrimmage.

(FYI: For the more loyal readers of the blog, this post will replace my usual "Practice Hits" section for today, as there was no interview access on the first day of classes)